Page 74 of Mine to Love

“Oh. I see how it is. Cast aside your BFF for the gorgeous social media influencer.”

“You gotta admit,” I say. “She looks hot in a bikini.”

After a lot of self-talk, a run along the ocean, and a long shower, I muster up the courage to get dressed and go to the Pierce’s. I contemplate texting Logan to give him a heads up I’m going, but what if he asks me not to go? What if he says he wants to keep our personal lives separate? Work relationship, sex relationship, and cut out the family ties?

I don’t want to deal with that possibility, so I avoid it by not giving him the heads up. I’ve attended every other family event since last winter, so it will be more obvious something was wrong if I don’t attend.

Early September is still nice during the day, but as soon as the sun dips behind the horizon, the temperature does as well. I dress in thigh-hugging jean capri pants and a fitted turquoise sleeveless shirt. The V-cut accentuates my breasts, not that Logan needs any teasing. He’s been up close and personal with them all weekend. All month.

I spritz myself with my jasmine perfume, strap on a pair of wedges, and add topaz earrings. Cute, a little sexy, and not too obvious. Stopping at the store on my way, I pick up fresh fruit salad and a bottle of wine.

At four-thirty, I pull into the circular drive of the beachfront mansion and park behind Logan’s rental. Last weekend during our walk through the park he mentioned wanting to buy a car instead of always renting or borrowing one of his parents. Yesterday he said he emailed a local realtor to look for his own place.

We didn’t talk about what that means for him long term or how long he’s going to keep up this grueling travel schedule. Most of his work is still in Austin. I’ve been busy at LP Financials and have had to turn down clients because I don’t have the manpower or the knowledge to take on any more than what’s already on my plate. The bigger companies need Logan, but he’s tied up with Texas.

He doesn’t seem as exhausted as he was a month ago, but what we’re doing can’t go on forever. Hiding out at my apartment on weekends has been good for him. I see more energy and color back in his face. But come Monday morning, it’s like a veil of doom is weighing him down again, and I don’t think it’s because he’s going to miss his Maine booty call.

I check my reflection in the mirror and add another coat of lip gloss. Cami greets me at the door and takes the wine from me. “Let’s open this bad boy up now. I’m so bored and thankful you’re here.”

The loud conversation from outside carries into the house. “How can you be bored with so many people here?”

“Mom and Dad and Logan are talking shop on the deck. The married people and Gabby are on the beach playing corn hole. I love my niece but she’s having major separation withdrawals right now and doesn’t want to chill and sip margaritas with me.”

“How dare she.”

“I know, right?” Cami opens the bottle and pours two glasses while I put the fruit salad in the refrigerator. “Mom has snacks outside. Maybe they’ll stop the boring talk now that you’re here.”

I follow Cami outside. Logan’s back is to me, so he doesn’t know I’m here until his mother greets me.

“Reese, honey. I’m so glad to see you. I feel like it’s been ages.” Isabella wraps me in a hug, her big sun hat poking me in the eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. You look gorgeous. New earrings?” She touches them and strokes my cheek in a motherly gesture. One I haven’t felt in years. She has a way of making me feel anything like a third wheel.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Logan says, a scowl forms on his lips. So much for the welcomed greeting. Isabella clears her throat and gives him a look mothers must learn during childbirth classes or something. “You didn’t mention it at the office on Friday.”

“Cami and Emerson didn’t mention it until today. This afternoon,” I emphasize just to make sure he understands I didn’t keep this from him all weekend, unlike him. Logan was fully aware he’d be coming over here and not so much as hinted at the family getting together.

It’s a big deal when Nick, Skylar, and Gabby come to visit. It’s a good three-hour drive, and with Gabby being so restless and Skylar pregnant, the drive is an exhausting trip for them. When they’re in town, Travis and Isabella want anyone and everyone here.

Now I wonder if there’s a reason why Logan didn’t say anything. He looks anything but pleased at me right now.

“Cami, let’s go down to the beach and watch the married people fight over corn hole. We can bring the bottle with us.” I rush inside to grab the wine and brush past Logan, giving his father a quick hug before hurrying down the steps to the sand. Not before overhearing Logan’s father condemn him for being rude.

“I know work is hell right now, but that’s no way to talk to family.”

It warms my heart that his parents think of me as family, regardless of my relationship–or lack thereof–with their son.

“She’s not family,” I hear Logan growl as I walk away.

I ignore the pang in my chest and greet Skylar and Emerson with hugs, wave to Holden and Nick who are too focused on their game for idle chit chat, and call Gabby over to sit with me and Cami. When we get dissed by the toddler, Cami and I laugh and gossip about mindless things.

Clothes, make-up, shoes. “Seriously, if you don’t mind being a face plastered all over social media, I can totally hook you up as a social media influencer. You have the looks and the fashion sense to make a killing at it.”

“Thanks, but I’m more of a numbers girl. I get my kicks out of math problems. They don’t talk back and troll you like the bullies online.”

I’ve heard too many stories from Cami about the trolls online who have nothing better to do than ridicule and pick her apart. Mostly, Cami shrugs it off. She has to in her line of work. While I have thick skin, having my life an open book online is not how I want to live.

“Which makes you perfect for LP Financials.” Cami refills our wine glasses.

As tempting as it is to ask about Logan, I bite my tongue and sip my wine instead.

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